By Chris Chaplin
October 22 2002

The RFU yesterday announced a bid to be the sole host of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, with it proposing a change to the time of year it should be held and how the competition should be organised. The dear old RFU have at last come up with a good idea in their two tier RWC for 2007. On the positive side it will enable the "elite" nations to avoid their players being crocked by sides which although not especially skilful can still punch, kick and generally injure those that are playing and this would surely take some of the lottery effect out of the tournament where the elite countries see themselves without key players for no good reason once the pool games are ended.

I don't think this is a bad thing for the RWNC nations as they'll get the chance to succeed in a competition and book themselves automatic qualification for the next RWC. I have a feeling that they will not necessarily agree though!

Of course the administrators from the RWNC nations will variously call this Colonial and patronising and be generally miffed at not getting their snouts firmly in the trough, however I suspect that the players and coaches will welcome it as it is a far more useful route to develop the game in those nations than their being routinely thrashed as we've seen in other competitions.

I'm not entirely clear as to how the cash is to be doled out and suspect that this and political considerations will be the key to the bid's success or failure.

On the RWC proper I am concerned at the substance of the bid insofar as the venues are concerned, obviously we have Twickers, which will presumably be kept under wraps for the final, although if so I don't really understand why, Welford Road, Franklins' Gardens, the Stoop and Kingsholm of the traditional rugby grounds which could handle the major RWC matches as well as the Vicarage Road, Madjeski, Ashton Gate venues. However it seems from what I read in Nick Cains' well researched article in last Sunday's Times that the soccer grounds mainly fail to meet IRB requirements.

Although the home unions marketing of the 1999 event was less than slick, properly handled I would have thought the inclusion of Lansdowne Road, Murrayfield and of course the magnificent Millenium Stadium would have made a UK and Ireland bid a better proposition for a number of reasons.

Firstly the ground availability as mentioned. Secondly it would have given the bid more votes. Thirdly it would have diluted the rugby world's contempt for the RFU and avoided the probable success of the French bid which will be achieved due to general antipathy toward the RFU rather than from any consideration toward the development of the game.

A good idea but sadly one that will not come to pass - perhaps if they mend some fences here and abroad the RFU will have better luck next time.